Artist News Gigs & Festivals

Edinburgh Festival gets underway this week

By | Published on Monday 1 August 2016

Edinburgh Fringe 2016

The world’s biggest cultural festival kicks off in Edinburgh this week, and although better known for its programme of comedy and theatre, there is plenty of music on offer too.

The Edinburgh Festival is actually a number of different festivals that all take place in the Scottish capital at the same time, including the programmed International Festival, the unprogrammed Fringe, and standalone festivals focused on books, art and politics.

The first few events got underway this weekend, with Fringe previews properly kicking off on Wednesday, before the International Festival and the Fringe officially launch for another year on Friday.

Music wise, the Edinburgh International Festival has long been well known for its extensive programme of classical music, though newish Artistic Director Fergus Linehan has made expanding the event’s music policy one of his key priorities, with a wider variety of genres now on offer, and the likes of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Young Fathers, Sigur Rós and Mogwai all set to appear this year. Info here.

The Edinburgh Fringe – in which anyone can perform – also has plenty of musicians appearing, though a standout music programme within the Fringe this year is that being presented by arts hub Summerhall under its Nothing Ever Happens Here banner. Fringe gigs from NEHH include Kathryn Joseph, Willis Earl Beal, Orkestra Del Sol, Billy Bragg, Mount Kimbie, Grandaddy and Withered Hand. Info here.

We know all this because our sister magazine ThreeWeeks Edinburgh is back at the Festival for its 21st year covering everything that will happen there over the next month. If you are heading to the Edinburgh Festival at any point, check out the ThreeWeeks preview guide here, or sign up to the TW Daily bulletin here.



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